Air Transat Ferry Flights, Part 3

Another day, another two A330-243s returning to Air Transat. These are the fourth and fifth (of five) A330s leased by Garuda. C-GTSR (c/n 966) [top] and C-GGTS (c/n 250) [above] are both scheduled to return to Montréal-Trudeau Airport (YUL/CYUL), Quebec, Canada tonight as TSC908 and TSC909 respectively.

Sophar's M-KATE

Sophar Property Holdings, a Russian business and charter carrier, has their sole aircraft, M-KATE (msn 4151), an A319-133X (ACJ), at HNL.

The M- country code for this A319 is listed as The Isle of Man. As with many airliners built outside of the Russian Federation, they are registered in locations like The Isle of Man, or Bermuda, or the Cayman Islands, to avoid higher tax rates for purchasing imported aircraft.

China Eastern's B-5295

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of their fourth Yunnan Peacock-liveried 737NG today. B-5295 (c/n 39723, l/n 4258), a 737-79P, is making its delivery flight as CES299. It's clad in the magenta-themed peacock livery, similar to sister-ship B-5701. It's also China Eastern's second peacock-liveried 737-79P, along with B-5293.

Air China's B-5693

Air China is taking delivery of their second 737-89L in the past two weeks. B-5693 (c/n 40037, l/n 4262) is making its delivery flight today, as CCA51.

Air Transat Ferry Flights, Part 2

Earlier this morning, two more of Air Transat's A330s arrived from Adi Sumarmo International (SOC/WARQ) Java, Indonesia as TSC906 and TSC907, respectively. TSC906 flew in as C-GPTS (c/n 480) [top photo], a A330-243. TSC907 was C-GTSD (c/n 407) [above photo], a A330-343X. C-GPTS will depart later tonight for Toronto Pearson International (YYZ/CYYZ,), Ontario, Canada; and C-GTSD will depart for Montréal-Trudeau Airport (YUL/CYUL), Quebec, Canada.

Shenzhen Joins Star Alliance

Shenzhen Airlines was accepted into the Star Alliance today. They are the 27th airline to join the global alliance. The airline makes stopovers during their 737NG delivery flights from BFI. Shenzhen Airlines' majority owner is Air China, who is a Star Alliance partner.

Further details in this Star Alliance press release.

Air Transat's C-GITS

Air Transat's C-GITS (msn 271) is seen above after arriving from Adi Sumarmo International (WARQ/SOC) Java, Indonesia as TSC905. For the past few years, Air Transat has leased out a few of its A330-243s to Garuda Indonesia for the Hajj pilgrimage.

This is the first of five A330s Air Transat leased to Garuda, that will be transiting through HNL from SOC to YUL or YYZ. C-GITS will be returning to YYZ.

Back in August 2001, C-GITS was involved in an in-flight emergency, as TSC236 (YYZ-LIS), when it ran out of fuel, and glided to land at Lajes AB, in the Azores Islands. 

US Air Force's 68-10331

A Lockheed U-2S Dragon Lady from the 1st RS / 9th RW (Beale AFB, CA) made a stop at HNL this morning. 68-10331 (Article 053) landed on Runway 8L, followed by a few support vehicles. It arrived during the Hawaiian Airlines pre-boarding festivities for its inaugural Brisbane flight.

68-10331 departed HNL this morning from Runway 8L.

Hawaiian Says G'Day To BNE

Hawaiian Airlines commenced service between HNL and BNE this morning, with their special pre-boarding festivities, that featured the Hawaiian Airlines Serenaders, food samplers by Chef Chai, speeches by CFO Peter Ingram, and Hawai‘i Lieutenant Governor Brian Schatz, and an ‘oli and blessing by Kahu Richard Kamanu.  As customary with all their new destination launches, each passenger also received a lei prior to boarding.

N588HA "‘Iwa" (c/n 33466, l/n 890), a 767-3CBER, was the aircraft selected for the "Aloha Brisbane" flight. "‘Iwa", had a decal applied to its nose section that commemorates the "Southern Cross" Trans-Pacific flight by Sir Charles Edward Kingsford Smith in June 1928 in a Fokker VII/3. "‘Iwa" also wears the Oakland Raiders decal, that denotes the airline's partnership with the NFL franchise, as the official airline of the Raiders, and provides flights to their road game cities. Sister-ship N589HA "Moli" also wears the "Southern Cross" decal.

more photos to follow ...

Mahalo to Hawaiian Airlines for the invitation to this event!

Magnum Helicopters' N369MH

This is NOT an "HNL RareBirds Classic"!

Makani Kai Helicopters has created a special helicopter charter company called Magnum Helicopters, which features an Hughes 500D, N369MH (c/n 380287D), painted in the same colors as the Hughes 369 in the 1980s CBS TV series "Magnum, P.I.". It's seen above, shortly after it was re-assembled, and being readied for a test flight.

Hawaiian's N583HA Makes Cameo In Samsung Spot

Hawaiian Airlines' 767-33AER, N583HA "‘A" (c/n 25531, l/n 423), makes a cameo appearance in a TV commercial for the Samsung Galaxy S III mobile phone. The spot has been running for the past two weeks, during episodes of "The Voice", and features country singer (and Voice coach) Blake Shelton in the beginning.

Mahalo to team member Aeros, for finding this article, that contains the Samsung spot. The spot can also be seen in this link from NBC. N583HA appears at the :15 mark, and looks like it was filmed at LAX, as Terminal 3 can be seen behind the tail of the 767.

Malaysia's 9M-MLR

Malaysia Airlines is taking delivery of their third 737-800 this month. 9M-MLR (c/n 39328, l/n 4257), a 737-8FZ leased from Babcock & Brown, is making its delivery flight from BFI as MAS5403. It's seen above, on Taxiway C, beginning the second leg of its delivery flight to MAJ.

PenAir's N364PX Returned

A couple of weeks ago, Island Air returned the wet-leased PenAir SF340B, N364PX (msn 340B-262), since the Island Air ATR72, N348AE, has been performing proving and training runs to Island Air destinations.

N13624

Another former United Airlines 737-524 is making its way to Indonesia to join the Sriwijaya Air fleet. N13624 (c/n 27528, l/n 2675, f/n 0624), owned by GECAS, is making its delivery flight from IAH to CGK (via SAT, MCC, HNL, MAJ, and BIK). It arrived last evening, and is scheduled to depart in a few hours of this posting.

N13624 was originally delivered to Continental Airlines in February 1995.

Alaska Adds SAN-LIH

Alaska Airlines announced they are adding service between SAN and LIH, beginning in June 2013.  SAN is the fifth city to serve LIH on Alaska's route network.

Further information in this Alaska Airlines press release.

Air China's B-5695

Air China is taking delivery of B-5695 (c/n 40018, l/n 4251) today. The 737-89L is making its delivery flight as CCA51, but returned to BFI. After a 90-minute stop, CCA51 left BFI for a second try, and arrived at HNL in the early evening.

Sorry, we were unable to get a photo of B-5695 at HNL.

Lion Air's PK-LKL

Lion Air is taking delivery of their second 737NG this month. PK-LKL (c/n 38683, l/n 4236), a 737-9GPER, is making its delivery flight today, as LNI1.

Sorry, we were unable to get a photo of PK-LKL at HNL.

Hawaiian And Virgin America Code-Share

Hawaiian Airlines and Virgin America have reached a code-share and frequent flyer program agreement that allows reciprocal benefits for passengers of both airlines.

Further details in this Hawaiian Airlines press release. Airliners Gallery's World Airline News had this report earlier this morning.

Shanghai's B-5692

China Eastern Airlines has allocated another 737-800 to one of its subsidiaries. Shanghai Airlines is taking delivery of B-5692 (c/n 41301, l/n 4241) today. The 737-8SH, leased from Air Lease Corporation (ALC), is making its delivery flight as CSH692.

Hawaiian's N804HC

N804HC (msn 623), Hawaiian Airlines' second ATR42-500 is on its way, and is being held at COE, after they were ferried from PRG (via KEF).

This ATR42-500 is the former CSA Czech Airlines' OK-JFJ "Namest nad Oslavou", that was delivered to in May 2004. In late February 2009, it was their first ATR42 re-painted to the current CSA livery.

China United's B-5722

China United Airlines is taking delivery of B-5722 (c/n 41785, l/n 4245) today. The 737-89P, originally ordered by parent company, China Eastern Airlines, was allocated to its subsidiary, and is flying as CUA577.

Sorry, we were unable to get a photo of B-5722 at HNL, but this photo was posted on the Boeing Test Flights blog.

Hawai‘i ANG Raptors Achieve IOC

HNL RareBirds wishes our servicemen and women a Happy Veteran's Day. Thank you to all of you who have served, and are serving in the US Armed Forces.

This past Friday, F-22A Raptors of the 199th FS (Hawai‘i Air National Guard) and 19th FS (Active Duty) have achieved IOC (Initial Operational Capability). The completion of this step takes the integrated unit one step closer to FOC (Full Operational Capability). Once the 199th FS/ 19th FS achieves the FOC (expected next month), they will assume the primary air defense role, as well as a rapid deployment detachment.

More information in this Hawai‘i Air National Guard press release.

Hau‘oli Lā Hānau Hawaiian Airlines!

Hawaiian Airlines celebrates its 83rd Anniversary today! In the above photo, courtesy of Hawaiian Airlines, one of their Sikorsky S-38s delivers newspapers at Kealakekua Bay (Big Island).

More information in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

Since 1929, the airline has grown from an inter-island carrier into an international carrier that reaches all sides of the Pacific Rim, while still flying between the Hawaiian Islands.

N14604

A former United Airlines 737-524, N14604 (c/n 27317, l/n 2576), is making its way to CGK, from SAT (via MCC, HNL, MAJ, and BIK) to join the Sriwijaya Air fleet.

It was originally delivered to Continental Airlines in February 1994, and transferred to United after the mega-merger.

Sorry, we were unable to photos of N14604 at HNL.


*** 12.03.12 Update ***

23717 was re-registered as PK-CLK.

China Southern's B-5698

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-5698 (c/n 38933, l/n 4244) today. The 737-81B, flying as CSN5698, will overnight after its initial flight out from BFI, and continue onto MAJ tomorrow morning.

Sorry, we were unable to photos of B-5698 at HNL.

China Southern's B-2923

B-2923 (c/n 27275, l/n 2565), a China Southern Airlines 737-31B is being ferried to the mainland as CSN2002. It arrived this evening from HAK (via LAO, GUM, and MAJ). The flight will continue onto to GWO, via OAK, where it is to be parted out and scrapped.

B-2923 was delivered, factory fresh, to China Southern in December 1993.

Sorry, we were unable to photos of B-2923 at HNL.

United Airlines Charter 747

Within the past few days, a United Airlines Charter 747-422 has been flying between Japan and Hawaii. N194UA (c/n 26892, l/n 1088) was leased to Atlas Air, and repainted in their full livery in April 2011 for military airlift. It was returned to United in December of the same year. It's Atlas markings were painted over, but retained the base of the previous operator's livery. N194UA has an older cabin layout to that of other 747-400s in the fleet, and still operates solely as a military charter aircraft with United. 

Malaysia' 9M-MXL

Malaysia Airlines is taking delivery of their second 737-800 in four days. 9M-MXL (c/n 40139 l/n 4246), a 737-8H6, is making its delivery flight as MAS5473, and is overnighting at HNL.

Kalitta Air 747-246F N746CK

For the past few days, Kalitta Air has been sending this all-white 742F, with small titles, on their LAX-HNL-LAX  flights (CKS368/369), instead of an aircraft with their usual red and gold liveried 747Fs. 

N746CK (cn 22989/ ln 571) was originally delivered to JAL Cargo on December 14, 1982 with the registration, N211JL. The registration was changed in the late 1990's to JA811J. Kalitta acquired the aircraft from JAL in 2008 and it has always been in the all-white livery. There are about 5 Kalitta 747s that are in all-white liveries.

Boise State Charters Delta 757-300

The Boise State University Broncos has chartered a Delta Air Lines 757-300 to transport their football team to HNL for its Saturday afternoon game against the University of Hawai‘i Warriors. The flight, from BOI [Gowen Field Airport, Boise, ID], is scheduled to arrive this afternoon as DAL8922.

The Broncos returned to BOI a few hours after putting a 49-14 beat down on the Warriors on DAL8922.

Eznis Airways' N171LF

N171LF (c/n 29360, l/n 1644), a 737-73V owned by Aircraft 73B-29360 (Los Angeles, CA), has made a stop at HNL. It arrived last night from ULN [Chinggis Khaan International Airport, Ulaanbataar, Mongolia] via GUM. It was most recently with Mongolia's Eznis Airways [ZY/EZA]. N171LF is on its way to GYR for either storage, or preparations for its next lessee.

29360 was originally delivered to ILFC in January 2005, and leased to Copa Airlines [CM/CMP] in February 2005. It was registered as HP-1528CMP (f/n 686). In May 2012, it was returned to ILFC, and leased to Eznis the following month, and registered as JU-9921.

Malaysia's 9M-MLQ

Malaysia Airlines is also taking delivery of their third 737-800 in the past 30 days. 9M-MLQ (c/n 39327, l/n 4237), a 737-8FZ, leased from Babcock & Brown, is making its delivery flight as MAS5403. 9M-MLQ is seen above taxiing out for departure to MAJ.

Alaska Launches Three New Seasonal Flights

Alaska AIrlines launched three new seasonal flights between the Pacific Northwest and the Neighbor Islands this week. PDX-LIH begins today with four flights per week through 07 April 2013. BLI-OGG starts four flights per week on 08 November through 14 April 2013. And, ANC-KOA begins on 10 November through 07 April 2013.

More information in this Alaska AIrlines press release.

Lion Air's PK-LKK

Today, Lion Airlines is taking delivery of their third 737-8GP within the past month. PK-LKK (c/n 38725, l/n 4238) is making its delivery flight from BFI to CGK (via HNL, MAJ, and BIK) as LNI1.

This 737 has a decal noting on the nose section, that it is the 7,370th 737 built by Boeing. This is inclusive from the -100 series to the -900ER series.

N370BC

N370BC (c/n 23468, l/n 1262), a 737-205/Adv, owned by Basic Capital Management (Denton, TX), made a stop from ADS [Addison Airport, Dallas, TX] (via SNS [Salinas Muni Airport, Salinas, CA]). It arrived this afternoon, and is parked on the Bradley Pacific ramp.

23468 was originally delivered to Braathens SAFE as LN-SUJ "Magnus Barfot", in August 1986. It was acquired by a member of the Royal Saudi family in December 1993, converted to a VIP interior, and registered as HZ-TBA. Its current owner bought the 737-205/Adv in August 1999, and registered as N370BC.

Sorry, we were unable to photos of N370BC at HNL.

Salmon Thirty Salmon II

Alaska Airlines newest logo jet "Salmon Thirty Salmon II" has been spotted recently in Honolulu. N599AS (c/n 35178, l/n 2026), a 737-890 was revealed last month wearing its new livery. Previously, it wore the same livery as its sister-ship in the background.

Lufthansa Cargo's D-ALCJ

The November edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" takes us back to May 2004, when this Lufthansa Cargo MD-11F, D-ALCJ (c/n 48802, l/n 642) taxied to Runway 26L on Taxiway RT. Lufthansa Cargo [LH/GEC] used to have round-the-world cargo service, which was a code-share with Air New Zealand that stopped off at HNL from ORD, and continued to AKL as GEC8400.

D-ALCJ was originally delivered to Lufthansa Cargo in March 2000.

October Deliveries

Here were the 737NG delivery flights that stopped through HNL in October, and like last month, all -800s:
4194 | VH-YIT | 38717 | Virgin Australia | -8FE "Lammermoor Beach" [10.01.12 VBH9882 (LIH)]
4199 | VH-XZC | 39361 | Qantas Airways | -838 "Walwa" [10.03.12 QFA6024]
4201 | VH-YIS | 39926 | Virgin Australia | -8FE "Casuarina Beach" [10.04.12 VBH9882 (LIH)]
4206 | PK-LKI | 38724 | Lion Airlines | -8GP [10.09.10 LNI1]
4208 | 9M-MLP | 39326 | Malaysia Airlines | -8FZ [10.12.12 MAS5403]
4198 | B-5701 | 39722 | China Eastern Airlines | -89P [10.16.12 CES299]
4202 | B-5681 | 40025 | Air China | -89L [10.16.12 CCA51]
4207 | B-5697 | 38931 | China Southern Airlines | -81B [10.16.12 CSN123]
4213 | B-5682 | 40036 | Air China | -89L [10.17.12 CCA54]
4215 | B-5660 | 38397 | Hebei Airlines | -85C [10.20.12 HBH5660]
4192 | VH-XZB | 39360 | Qantas Airways | -838 [10.22.12 QFA6024]
4226 | PK-LKJ | 38682 | Lion Airlines | -8GP [10.23.12 LNI1]
4217 | 9M-MXK | 40138 | Malaysia Airlines | -8H6 [10.30.12 MAS5473]